William Wirt Allen (1829 - 1878)

Born 29 Jul 1829 in Angelica, Allegany, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Selah (Denison) Allen — married 10 Nov 1857 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Died 11 Jun 1878 at age 48 in Mason City, Cerro Gordo, Iowa, United States

Biography

William was born in 1829. He was the son of Asa and Lydia (Kingsbury) Allen. He moved with his parents to Wisconsin in 1846; attended Normal School at W. Newton, Mass.; was a sailor for several years; returned to Wisconsin and studied medicine with Dr. Wilbur of Mineral Point; went to California, where he remained two years; settled in Eau Claire, Wis. in 1857, as a dry-goods merchant. Here he was elected County Superintendent of Schools. In Apr. 1860 he went to Denver and practiced medicine. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Co. H, 2nd Regt. Wis. Vols., May 11, 1862, he was appointed hospital steward, and served as such through the second Battle of Bull Run; here he was detailed to look after the wounded left in charge of the Confederates, and after eight days of great hardship was paroled. The exposure permanently impaired his health, but on being discharged from the hospital he again became hospital steward, serving as such to the close of the war. In Sept. 1865 he settled in Avoca, Wis. where he practiced medicine with great success. In 1867 he moved to Mason City, where he practiced medicine for the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1878.

Sources

• Brown Genealogy, Vol.1 Many of the Descendants of Thomas, John, & Eleazer Brown, 1628-1907, By Cyrus Henry Brown, 1907 pg. 289

• "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDJL-YJC : 28 May 2021), Wm W Allen, 1870.

• Find a Grave ID# 95858412